Green Beans Galore!

One of the most gratifying things to do is garden. It is so wonderful to be able to cook or bake something homegrown. I let the kids help me this year by planting the seedlings and they have enjoyed watching the plants grown in our little box. Their favorite thing to do is harvest.



Gabriella LOVES green beans, so she was pretty proud of all her picking. There is also the first of our cherry tomatoes in that pile. It is so cute when Hyrum comes in with tomato seeds all over his shirt from snacking while they play outside.



Gabby took this photo of her "special" green beans. I like it.

Photo Update

I feel like we have been going going all summer long and before I know it the sunshine will be gone. I haven't posted in FOREVER, so here is the photo update.


We love summer hiking and chose a short one to break the kids in easy.


Here is Lulu living it up in her private chauffeur around Round Lake


Hyrum playing in the sand while on one of our many outings to Vancouver Lake

Smile girls!


LaurieAnn loved the pool


Gabby ready for a LOUD 4th of July party!



Sisters and our babies awaiting the neighborhood fireworks display



Last weekend we camped up the Columbia River Gorge at a favorite place near Wind River. The Hills joined us for dutch oven dinners, fishing, roasting mallows, and relaxing by the fire.



Hyrum trying out fishing for the first time



Not quite the kind of bike that Daddy wants but the kids loved it! Thanks for sharing it with us Porter and MaryLeigh!



Throwing rocks on our hike to Wahclella Falls


The pictures don't even do this waterfall justice. It is a gorgeous 2 mile loop hike near Multnomah Falls.


The kids were fabulous hikers. A few bridges and throwing rocks made it an adventure for them



Okay, so I just dubbed the shirt in this photo my hiking shirt. I was looking at some old photos and I am wearing this Columbia Sportswear shirt in virtually all our hikes. Dorky I know, but you have to go with what is comfortable, right?

Anyway, more to come on my blog, but for now BYE!

Socially Acceptable?

I didn't realize that staying indoors waiting for the sun to shine would cause my children to become socially inept. Apparently I've bred a nude (Picture not included - Thanks Gabby), a nose-picker and one who thinks everything is food!



Don't even want to know what is up there!



Ok, one for three isn't bad



Couldn't find the sprinkler, but who needs one when you can have an endless water pistol!

Running Reunion!

We had so much fun at the Sound to Narrows run in Tacoma this weekend! It was a worthy memorial to Grandma Raquel and a great way for the Tacoma Dyers and Vancouver Dyers to hook up.

Mom, Me and Sis before the big race

Raquel's runners at the start of the 12k

Savannah and Chloe hanging around. David what are you doing back there?

Grandpa, Dad, Mom and Hyrum cheering at the finish line!

"I think I can, I think I can..." I am smiling under the brim of that hat.

We just ran 7.4 miles!

Love you Grandma!

Gabby's Special Day!

Gabriella celebrated her 4th birthday yesterday! We had a strawberry shortcake party--sooo nostalgic!

enjoying nothing other than some fresh strawberry shortcake with LOTS of whip cream!

Pinning the leaves on the strawberry! The girls kept putting them on upside down so they look like another kind of leaf! oops!


Ready for a game of red light-green light down the hall!

Her special present from Grandma!

Father and Sons

Here are my boys on their first father and sons campout! I wasn't there to enjoy the campfire, crickets and sleeping under the stars. But it wouldn't be a camping without realizing you left your food at home, your air mattress deflating, and waking up at 5 am on a Saturday. Good thing your kids don't remember those parts! Hyrum had a ball!

Hyrum and his cousin David enjoying the view from Beacon Rock!

The beautiful Columbia River gorge